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This book is frustrating. There’s some really good parts, but also some stupid parts. I liked the opening which showed how Stargirl is basically just considered a spokesperson for the team by ARGUS and Waller and the conflict that’s going to cause. We all know that Stargirl is one of Johns’ favourite creations (she’s based on his dead sister, which is a great tribute), so I’m confident that Johns will be able to play out this media commentary story effectively. When Johns cares, good stuff normally happens. I also like the way Green Arrow messed up and screwed with the team’s plan to get Catwoman undercover. I don’t know why every other superhero seems to hate New 52 Green Arrow (is it because he shaved his beard?) but his sad-sack loser nature works for me.

But other than that…

I don’t care about the Secret Society of Super-Villains at all, I’ve always hated Hawkman and Katana is a big ball of bland. I also can’t believe that Johns is trying to make me take Vibe seriously. It’s fucking Vibe for God’s sake! VIBE! He’s not credible at all. I suppose the Catwoman stuff is pretty good too, Johns seems to have a good handle on her. But yeah, this book still feels like it’s reaching to be something more than it is, I can’t put my finger on it. David Finch’s artwork looked good though, I’ve always liked his art. I just kind of want to get to the fireworks factory and have this team fight the main team already, we all know it’s coming, let’s get it out of the way with.

I don’t care about the Secret Society of Super-Villains at all, I’ve always hated Hawkman and Katana is a big ball of bland. I also can’t believe that Johns is trying to make me take Vibe seriously. It’s fucking Vibe for God’s sake! VIBE! He’s not credible at all. I suppose the Catwoman stuff is pretty good too, Johns seems to have a good handle on her. But yeah, this book still feels like it’s reaching to be something more than it is, I can’t put my finger on it. David Finch’s artwork looked good though, I’ve always liked his art. I just kind of want to get to the fireworks factory and have this team fight the main team already, we all know it’s coming, let’s get it out of the way with.

We should all be happy that Johns brought back Signal Man and made him a member of the Secret Society.

This was a nice scene in the comic for Catwoman

You forgot to mention the Martian Manhunter/Catwoman backup by Matt Kindt! A very interesting ... mind bonding session

I agree with Punch in the regard that this book is trying too hard -- look. I don't have a problem giving a new Vibe a chance in a reset reality. Seriously, I don't.

But why is it that if you're going to do that, that we, as readers, have to get the "Rookie Hero Who Clearly Isn't Ready for the Big Leagues...Nonetheless Running Around with Big Leaguers?"

Why is it that we can't get some training sequences, a la the X-Men in the Danger Room, so for once in my freaking life, JUST ONCE, we don't get the tired trope of the new guy learning on the job while his teammates' lives are at stake?

On what effing planet would somebody like Steve Trevor or Catwoman or Hawkman or Katana let themselves get killed because somebody like Vibe doesn't know what the hell he's doing? It just diminishes the concept of Vibe and wastes panels in a book that costs $3.99 by having him standing there saying, "Golly gee, guys. Sorry -- didn't mean to mess that up."

Seriously? Why does this trope even exist? For the modern era of comics-writing, it's damn ridiculous.

*Sniff, sniff* "Damn it, Diana...If I'd known they would trade us in for a JT Krul-written Captain Atom and "The Savage Hawkman," I'd have let Superboy-Prime destroy all reality."

"Superman flies and is really strong...what the fuck else do you need to know?!" -- Hitler, expressing his displeasure about DC rebooting and complaints about continuity

ElijahSnowFan wrote:I agree with Punch in the regard that this book is trying too hard -- look. I don't have a problem giving a new Vibe a chance in a reset reality. Seriously, I don't.

But why is it that if you're going to do that, that we, as readers, have to get the "Rookie Hero Who Clearly Isn't Ready for the Big Leagues...Nonetheless Running Around with Big Leaguers?"

Why is it that we can't get some training sequences, a la the X-Men in the Danger Room, so for once in my freaking life, JUST ONCE, we don't get the tired trope of the new guy learning on the job while his teammates' lives are at stake?

On what effing planet would somebody like Steve Trevor or Catwoman or Hawkman or Katana let themselves get killed because somebody like Vibe doesn't know what the hell he's doing? It just diminishes the concept of Vibe and wastes panels in a book that costs $3.99 by having him standing there saying, "Golly gee, guys. Sorry -- didn't mean to mess that up."

Seriously? Why does this trope even exist? For the modern era of comics-writing, it's damn ridiculous.

The former:"Character whose inexperience with the world presented by the show allows them to act as the Audience Surrogate. Often it is through their eyes that we are introduced to the show's principal characters and milieu (see Welcome Episode)."

The latter:"Where the most powerful member is the Naïve Newcomer. In some series the protagonist starts his adventure by joining a group that's already been in business for a while before the events of the story. This is often to help the audience to relate to the hero more, as we're meeting the main ensemble with him."

The former:"Character whose inexperience with the world presented by the show allows them to act as the Audience Surrogate. Often it is through their eyes that we are introduced to the show's principal characters and milieu (see Welcome Episode)."

The latter:"Where the most powerful member is the Naïve Newcomer. In some series the protagonist starts his adventure by joining a group that's already been in business for a while before the events of the story. This is often to help the audience to relate to the hero more, as we're meeting the main ensemble with him."

Hey, you asked.

Herald, man, YOU ARE AWESOME. I knew you'd come through with the right tropes!

The biggest problem with those is that it absolutely doesn't help the audience relate to the hero more....because it's a freaking comic book! I can't relate to a kid getting caught in a Boom Tube and somehow getting vibration powers that don't allow him to be photographed! I mean, seriously, comic book creators! We're reading these damn things because we live in the real world and we DON'T want to relate to these characters and concepts -- otherwise, it's like real life!

In real life, we're surrounded by idiots and incompetence every day! Why would I want to read about that in a comic book character who might run into Deathstroke or Black Adam one day while they're still trying to "understand my own strength!"

It's always been a silly concept, but in today's storytelling where you have Black Adam murdering entire countries, yeah, it's pretty stupid where the Good Guys always have this one anchor weighing them down because "I don't know if I'm ready for this!"

It's OK, Comic Book Writers. I don't need to see "Baffled Vibe." I'm reading the book, which means I have an interest in the characters and concepts. I'm willing to give Vibe a chance. Why not just not make him a loser, for once?

*Sniff, sniff* "Damn it, Diana...If I'd known they would trade us in for a JT Krul-written Captain Atom and "The Savage Hawkman," I'd have let Superboy-Prime destroy all reality."

"Superman flies and is really strong...what the fuck else do you need to know?!" -- Hitler, expressing his displeasure about DC rebooting and complaints about continuity

ElijahSnowFan wrote:Herald, man, YOU ARE AWESOME. I knew you'd come through with the right tropes!

The biggest problem with those is that it absolutely doesn't help the audience relate to the hero more....because it's a freaking comic book! I can't relate to a kid getting caught in a Boom Tube and somehow getting vibration powers that don't allow him to be photographed! I mean, seriously, comic book creators! We're reading these damn things because we live in the real world and we DON'T want to relate to these characters and concepts -- otherwise, it's like real life!

It's always been a silly concept, but in today's storytelling where you have Black Adam murdering entire countries, yeah, it's pretty stupid where the Good Guys always have this one anchor weighing them down because "I don't know if I'm ready for this!"

It's OK, Comic Book Writers. I don't need to see "Baffled Vibe." I'm reading the book, which means I have an interest in the characters and concepts. I'm willing to give Vibe a chance. Why not just not make him a loser, for once?